Clinical Medical Assistants prepare patients, record vital signs and medical histories, perform phlebotomy and EKGs, administer medications and injections, and assist with exams and minor procedures — ensuring accurate diagnostics and compassionate support. Follow this NPS guide to earn your Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) credential.
The first step to your career as a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) is to enroll in a training class. Amarillo, Texas is home to many state credited medical assisting training programs that will prepare students for a Medical Assistant career. A medical assisting training program is generally a total of 40-80 in class hours and 20-40 clinical hours that will take place outside of the class, usually at a laboratory or medical institute associated with the program. In Amarillo, the typical class will have 10-30 students.
When evaluating a medical assisting training program, it’s important to be careful and well-prepared. There are thousands of programs across the country, but not all of them provide the vital training and clinical resources needed to enter the workforce. In fact, some programs do not offer clinical hours, which are critical for gaining practical experience drawing blood in a real lab setting. Without clinical hours, you will not meet the required requirements for national certification — even if you finish the course.
One of the most essential factors to consider when comparing a program is its recognized standing and adherence to quality benchmarks. Accreditation is formal recognition granted to schools or programs that meet established national standards of curriculum, hands-on training, and educational rigor. In medical assisting, attending an recognized training program ensures that you receive comprehensive education and clinical experience aligned with healthcare best practices.
After finishing a medical assisting training program, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is often confused. This document does not make you nationally certified. It simply proves that you’ve completed training and allows you to take the national certification exam — especially important for those with no prior experience.
To get certified, students must pass an exam from a recognized agency such as National Performance Specialists (NPS). NPS helps define national standards, develops the certification exams, and maintains a registry of certified professionals.
Certification must be renewed every two years, and completing continuing education is a key requirement for renewal if the a certification holder does not wish to take an additional exam. This ensures that Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) remain current with the latest professional practices, procedures, and compliance measures. Most certifying agencies provide straightforward guidelines on the number and type of continuing education hours required, making it simple for professionals to maintain their credentials.
If you are planning to attend a medical assisting training program and would like an NPS adviser to double check that the program is legit, contact us today.
Upon your successful completion of a medical assistant training program, you will get a Certificate of Completion. Your Certificate of Completion does not make you a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)’. This is a unconditionally common misunderstanding. A Certificate of Completion is used as proof of successful completion of a medical assistant training course and is required to register for the national certification test for individuals who have no experience in the field.
To become certified, a medical assistant must have their knowledge put to the test by a third-party credentialing agency, like NPS. Once certified, a medical assistant must update their certification each two years by completing Continuing Education. Continuing education can come in multiple formats, such as on-the-job workshops, online courses, webinars, or specialized training modules. These programs often cover the latest best practices, safety protocols, and technological advancements in medical assisting. Many professional associations and certification agencies provide regularly updated continuing education resources to help medical assistants expand and advance their skills.
There are several certification agencies that medical assistants can choose to become certified with, but selecting the right one can positively influence your career.
Pursuing medical assisting certification not only demonstrates your competency and commitment to professional excellence, but also supports ongoing professional development. By regularly completing continuing education and professional growth opportunities, medical assistants can sharpen their expertise, expand their professional network, and set themselves up for advancement within the healthcare field.
Many healthcare employers require certified candidates, making certification an essential step toward becoming a standout applicant in the field.
The cost to become NPS Certified is $200.00 and includes a full study guide, unlimited practice exams, three final certification exam attempts, a professional resume revision, and job placement assistance. The entire process can be completed 100% online through the NPS learning management system, and is mobile friendly, allowing you to prepare on your schedule and from the comfort of home. Be sure to explore whether your certifying agency provides complimentary materials or if there are additional costs for upgraded content.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA).
Once you have registered to sit for the certification exam, take advantage of a broad selection of exam preparation materials to boost your readiness. Many certifying agencies offer resources such as detailed study guides, digital flashcards, practice questions, and interactive review platforms. When selecting prep tools, look for materials that match the exam’s content outline and focus on both academic material and practical skills.
Consider developing a study schedule that incorporates consistent study sessions, targeted practice in challenging topics, and regular use of complete practice exams to simulate the real test environment. This approach will help build your confidence and ensure you’re thoroughly prepared for exam day.
In addition, practice exams are extremely useful for simulating the real test environment and spotting areas where you need further review. Some agencies, like NPS, offer repeated practice exams, while others up sell practice attempts.
After you have passed the final exam, your credentials are hurriedly inputted in the national registry and a digital copy of your national certification is available in your account. Your digital copy, paired with your NPS transcripts, should be downloaded and printed for use as proof of certification.
Now that you’re a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), you’re ready to begin your medical career in Amarillo, Texas. The field of medical assisting is a solid starting point into the medical workforce, commonly pursued by aspiring nurses, nurse aides, medical assistants, and medical laboratory technicians. Certified medical assistants are in great demand across the healthcare industry due to increased access to healthcare, a growing elderly population, and a rise in lab testing. This rising demand helps ensure a steady job market, making medical assisting a reliable and worthwhile career choice.
Medical Assistants typically perform a standard 40-hour week and earn an average annual salary of approximately $44,200, though wages can differ depending on region and experience. With growing opportunities and a brief training period, medical assisting is a efficient way to begin a fulfilling healthcare career.
NPS works with multiple staffing agencies to help our members find a career in the medical assisting field.
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant will need to renew their CCMA Certification after two years. A medical assistant should begin the process at least 30 days prior to the week their credentials expires. This will allow the medical assistant plenty time to attend their continuing education hours and attempt their renewal assessment. You will not need to go register to a medical assisting course or attend a class to renew your certification.
The renewal process can be completed entirely online in the NPS learning management system. The cost to renew your credentials for the following two year time period is $200.00. Renewing ensures your employer that you are dedicated to updating your knowledge in the medical assisting field.
If your certification lapses, many certifying agencies offer a path to reinstatement. The process typically involves completing any outstanding continuing education requirements, sending in a renewal application, and covering a reinstatement fee. It’s important to consult your certifying body for specific procedures and cutoff dates to restore your active status.
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A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) is a highly bright medical assistant with more than 5 years of experience in the field. Medical Assistant Instructors can work for or own their own school. They’re needed for ensuring that students in their class are retaining the guidance provided by their curriculum. Every class in Amarillo, Texas should tell their students with the instructors background and credentials.
If a medical assistant meets the requirements and wishes to become a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI) they can complete the entire process online. If you would prefer to speak with someone about the process, contact us today.
Click to learn more about becoming a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant Instructor (CCMAI).
National Performance Specialists is also partnered with the American Red Cross to provide job placement assistance to NPS Members and to assist the American Red Cross in recruiting quality candidates across the United States.
All NPS certification programs are proudly listed within the Certification Finder by CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and is a proud partner of the AmericanJobCenter network.
